New to Chicken Raising - Feeding Question

[AbaHens]

Hey guys! I am new to the site and also new at keeping backyard chickens. I have a few questions that I hope someone can help me with. Ok so I purchased 4 baby chicks back in May but only 1 survived, my Leghorn chicken Henrietta. She is now about 7 months old.

My first question is, do chickens need to be vaccinated or dewormed (like dogs do)?

Second Q: The photo attached is what I feed her, is it okay?
What is the difference between this crumble food and the one labeled "scratch"? I have also seen the pellets but I dont buy them 'cus I'm not sure if she'd be able to swallow them.
What else can chickens eat? I have offered her apples and cabbage but she doens't eat it.
She LOVES meal worms. Can I feed her mealworms everyday? how much is too much?

Thanks!

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

I think your feed is fine. Scratch is usually crumbled corn and various other grains depending on what you buy. I use one with 5 grains and I mix it with their usual feed. Others use it as mainly as a treat.
As far as other treats, this article may be helpful.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-the-best-treats-for-backyard-chickens.47738/

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Also, they do need dewormed periodically. @casportpony is an awesome go to for this advice and much more.
You may also want to provide oyster shell ( for calcium) and grit ( aids in digestion) free choice.

 

[chicken danz]

Scratch isn't a good diet by itself. It's more just to let the chickens do their thing of naturally scratching the dirt to find food. Your crumbles are a complete diet. Pellets can be eaten. No problem. Some people prefer them because there is less waste. Crumbles are just fragmented pieces of pellets.
Mealworms are great cause they are really high in protein, However if you feed them too many it will give them diarrhea. You might alter the treats you give. My chickens love cucumbers. And it's fun to cut off slices and see them go crazy eating the middle out. Any kind of table scrap is great as well as long as you don't give them any citrus fruit. They don't like it and it is poisonous to them. Black oil sunflower seeds are also a great treat.
One word of caution regardless of what you feed but sure to give them some grit. They need something in the gizzard to break the food down.
Vaccination is strictly up to the individual. But most vaccines have a limited life span and aren't really effective. Worming is essential!!! I worm all my birds every quarter or every three months. Also watch for mites or lice on them.
Your chicken would be much happier with some other chickens to go with her, even if it is just one. You could check Craigslist for someone selling some pullets or there are several facebook pages where people offer birds. Just be sure to quarantine any new birds and make sure they aren't sick before letting them in with your hen.

 

[The Phantom]

Scratch is kinda like a treat. Yes you can feed her meal worms every day and that layer food is good. Throw in some oyster shell too.

This is what I feed my hens
10% oyster shell
50% Layer (Meat Maker in winter)
20% Corn and molasses
20% Sun flower seeds
They do really well on this. Their egg shells are strong too.
I also let mine free range they love it. Also I have a white leghorn too named Chickadee. Hope this helps!

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC! That feed, plus a side dish of oyster shell is perfect. You can give scratch as a treat, but 95% of her feed should be a lay pellet or lay crumble. Is she laying yet?

Mealworms everyday are fine, just not too many.

 

[Hope Hughes]

Hello​

Welcome to BYC!!
So glad to have you here!!
Thanks for sharing your story!!
That is what we feed our chickens and the scratch as a treat like said. We use pellets because we noticed that the crumble is 100% more dusty and you lose alot more food with it.
Everyone gave you great information!
There are many people on here that are ready to help in anyway they can!
The learning center also has alot of great information on it as well!
Enjoy!​

 

[AbaHens]

Hi So how often can I feed her the mealworms? once a week? once a month? just want to make sure I dont over feed.

I will definitely buy a bag of scratch and add a handful to her crumble every now and then

I've never heard of grit, where can I buy it and how often should this be fed to her?
Which dewormer do you use for your chickens and where can I buy it?

Thank you so much for all your help!

Scratch isn't a good diet by itself. It's more just to let the chickens do their thing of naturally scratching the dirt to find food. Your crumbles are a complete diet. Pellets can be eaten. No problem. Some people prefer them because there is less waste. Crumbles are just fragmented pieces of pellets.
Mealworms are great cause they are really high in protein, However if you feed them too many it will give them diarrhea. You might alter the treats you give. My chickens love cucumbers. And it's fun to cut off slices and see them go crazy eating the middle out. Any kind of table scrap is great as well as long as you don't give them any citrus fruit. They don't like it and it is poisonous to them. Black oil sunflower seeds are also a great treat.
One word of caution regardless of what you feed but sure to give them some grit. They need something in the gizzard to break the food down.
Vaccination is strictly up to the individual. But most vaccines have a limited life span and aren't really effective. Worming is essential!!! I worm all my birds every quarter or every three months. Also watch for mites or lice on them.
Your chicken would be much happier with some other chickens to go with her, even if it is just one. You could check Craigslist for someone selling some pullets or there are several facebook pages where people offer birds. Just be sure to quarantine any new birds and make sure they aren't sick before letting them in with your hen.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to backyard Chickens twice a month is plenty to treat the meal worms be careful as mine love so much they go after the bag

 

[Hope Hughes]

You can get grit from most feed stores and I think people just leave it out for them all the time... ?my chickens free range so they get alot of natural grit but I do leave the oysters shells out for them to get to at all times.
​